But his former aide Lance Price wrote in his book Where Power Lies: "A deal had been done, although with nothing in writing. If Murdoch were left to pursue his business interests in peace he would give Labour a fair wind."

Did Labour dilute media ownership regulations for Mr Murdoch?

Labour MP Chris Mullin recorded in his diaries that he had been told there was "prime ministerial interest" in resisting attempts to increase regulation of BSkyB.

What did Mr Blair and Mr Murdoch discuss about the Iraq war?

All of the media tycoon's newspapers gave their backing to the war in 2003. Mr Blair and Mr Murdoch had spoken three times in the run-up to the conflict

Alastair Campbell, who was Mr Blair's spin doctor, told the inquiry he could not recall the content of the discussions but that the idea that the Government could not have pursued the war without Murdoch backing was "complete nonsense".

What is the nature of Mr Blair's personal relationship with the Rupert Murdoch?

Last year the tycoon's third wife revealed that the politician was a close friend of theirs and godfather to their daughter Grace.